Darling in the Franxx / First Impressions

「ガーデン／始まりの庭」 (Gaaden/Hajimari no Niwa)
“The Garden Where It All Began”

With spring anime only one day away, there’s no better way to ring in the new season than with -15°C temperatures and a half a foot of fresh snow—err, the midseason special of Franxx. Yes, I’m definitely not salty about the weather outside at all. Really. Alright all Pancakes First World ProblemsTM aside, Franxx decided to leave winter behind with a storm all of its own. It may have been yet another showcase of the lack of action/progression/sultry Zero Two shenanigans (or whatever pet peeve have you) the series is revelling in right now, but this week made up for it by largely confirming all outstanding hypotheses whilst teasing a few others. Franxx may be slow, but it certainly is building towards one serious climax. Well, hopefully.

By far the most important idea confirmed this episode was that all parasites are klaxosaurs waiting to happen. This was easy to guess since the start (and unavoidable since learning of the injections), but it doesn’t remove the significance of it, especially when Hiro is himself supposedly ready to jump from (super)human to reptilian monstrosity. No parasite reaches adulthood simply because none (or at least few, see Nana and Hachi) can contain the “potential” of their blood; if they break there’s no going back. It’s nice seeing this detail finally laid out in the open, although it further exacerbates the frustration of not knowing why parasites are needed in the first place. What are the klaxosaurs after? Why are all regional plantations converging at the (in all likelihood) Grand Crevasse? Why the need for even more obedient parasites? The mechanics of the problem have arguably been answered given everything above, all that’s left is the reason for it.

Part of the explanation likely rests with Zero Two and the other intriguing development making itself known this week. While Zero Two’s transformation was well-teased previously given her exemplary dental display, we got the consequences of it in full this time as horns and attitude both revealed the (predictable) truth: this girl definitely isn’t as she appears. For better or worse Zero Two’s outburst(s) displayed a fearful inner voice, a pistil scared of her fate who has placed her hopes of survival (whether personally or with subtle encouragement) on becoming human. She knows she’s on a timer, which in part explains the tart attitude the past few weeks, and the pure rage on full display here. Hiro and that budding relationship? As described before nothing more than Zero Two’s latest tool to see this goal through, as made very apparent by that fodder remark. Supposedly draining the life out of over a hundred previous stamens in pursuit of humanity destroys any doubt pretty effectively.

This, however, is incredibly ironic now because the other side of Zero Two’s wish—meeting her original darling once again—is already in her grasp. I doubt there’s anyone who doesn’t realize Hiro already met Zero Two before and that he is that original darling, before split apart for whatever (plot) reason. Both—to Ichigo’s future chagrin—are the destined couple, Hiro the hero (heh) who will help save Zero Two from her fate and she the one who’ll bring an end to this Jurassic post-apocalypse. Pretty damn obvious where Franxx is heading with this, but as usual the what, how, and when (i.e. when are main couple going to realize their childhood friend status?) are left completely up in the air. With Zero Two basically doing what Kokoro avoided previously and going full berserker—this time with no pistil immediately able to stop her (notice the lack of synergetic connection)—it’s very likely someone is going to get a face full of the crazy pink hair, and not the enjoyable kind. Whether it finally results in a character death is anyone’s guess at this point, but when the dust settles there are going to need to be some tangible answers because quite a few parasites are also starting to question certain happenings.

Well, that is unless our newly revealed APE special forces squad Nines swoops in to save the day of course. Whenever a “unique” squad appears you can bet on some story-related movement occurring soon, and with the head blondie making a run for Ichigo guaranteed the drama shenanigans are just getting started. Franxx may be halfway over, but I don’t think we’ve seen the best it has to offer just yet.

120 Comments

  1. I have a feeling there will be plenty of conflict between between the Generation of Miracles APE special forces and Squad 13. Also just noticed something after looking at the screenshots: TRIPLETS!

    Yojimbo
    Reply

    1. They’re pretty much fated to duke it out before too long, particularly given Nines’ knowledge about Zero Two’s mission and the plot guarantee of Hiro eventually trying to save Zero Two from her fate. You don’t create a unique mecha squad just to leave them languishing on the sidelines 😛

      Pancakes
      Reply

      1. But i do hope that the anime do not forget about the Enemys. i fear the same “boring ness” like in Muv-Luv Alternative anime. Where the real enemys where the humans

        But it is their anime and of course their choose

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

      2. my expectations aren’t very high, but if I were writing this show I would have Hiro doubt 02 at least for a while after seeing this side of her and realizing that everything she’d done up to that point was fake. She didn’t actually love him at all, she was just planning on him dying like the rest of her partners.
        the fact that she’s doing all this because presumably the gestapo fed her some kind of bs about having to kill all the klaxosaurs before she can see her original ‘darling’ who’s obviously Hiro again gives her some kind of vindication, but she ought to be doing some serious groveling before he forgives her

        Bento-Box
        Reply

      3. I hope Zero Two actually regrets her actions instead of brushing it off. Attempt rape and murder in response to Hiro’s being supportive of her are absolute bitch moves.

        one3rd
        Reply

      1. Ok, reading on Pancakes’ reply.
        Saving Zero Two.
        P13 pretty much tag along as a squad, so it could happen.
        They find themselves on the flip side of APE and Dr Franxx lend them a hand.

        And perhaps finally, explanations.
        (And perhaps mecha power up forms :P)

        iron2000
        Reply

  2. https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%2028.jpg

    https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2029.jpg

    What am I watching?

    I seriously have mixed feelings about this show(which I think the majority of us are having).

    I don’t know whether I like it or not.

    Yet, I and most you continue on watching Darling in the FranXX.

    Must be the power of “mecha”…

    Canuck
    Reply

    1. Visitors in Random Curiosity tend to become unhinged when it comes to Darling in the FranXX. They embrace their inner “wild” side-ID basically, and say whatever the hell they want.

      https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2035.jpg

      Still, I highly doubt FranXX will reach or even come close to Code Geass R2 in terms of people disclosing whatever the hell they want.

      https://randomc.net/2008/09/28/code-geass-r2-25-end/

      With all that said though, I feel sorry for zero two…

      https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2014.jpg

      EndoC
      Reply

      3. Also perhaps Hiro is the first that said “i love you, Zero two like how you are”. So where is the proof that she jumped with all other previous partner into the bed? Do we just jump to conclusions what we wanna see? or wait we for proofs? Oh, i know because all others said it, it must be true to some extend… This can also be called “defamation” (Rufmord)

        So, i would suggest to see with your own eyes, make your own calls nit swim with the mass

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

    1. or they try to make animes for western fans. But will lose their home market.. they still “not like” western style animes.. Seems like, Pantsu shoots, boobies and ecchi is still popular there

      Worldwidedepp
      Reply

      2. Anime Then
        You can’t get married if some guy sees you naked/accidentally grabs your breasts

        Anime Now
        >You can still be a wife even if the amount of guys you fucked is in the triple digits

        What went wrong

        yuna49
        Reply

      3. By “Westernized” I guess you mean:
        – 150% more dialogue (silent pauses make no sense to dumbed-down hyperactive American children)
        – girls are “cool” by being violent and aggressive; guys are “accepted” by being Shinji Ikari from Evangelion: wimps who become touchy-feely (“girls rule, guys drool”)
        – single white males are the minority: females, especially females “of color” must be the heroes of the story
        – protagonists are “heroes” until they understand they are nothing more than police-state puppets of the Leader; then they become “rebels” out to destroy the system
        – American girls can’t cook, can’t clean, can’t study, unlike Japanese ideals for children; but boy, do they have mad gaming skillz

        jhpace1
        Reply

  5. I can already tell from the comments so far that this week’s episode will surely result in a productive and civil discourse… about sluts… with dino aids.

    Remember that suggestion from a few weeks back? About blocking some people from posting? We’ve still got another cour of this show left, at some point it has to start looking like the better option.

    qwert
    Reply

    1. Not this week, we’ve chatted about it and are going to start cracking down on the trolling.
      Anything not related to actual discussion on the episode is liable for editing and/or deletion so this should hopefully improve things from now on.

      Pancakes
      Reply

    2. Thank you for your attention. I find lacking an option for users edit or delete your wrong posts, I posted the first time but my post didn’t show up, so I clicked on the tag again and I got a duplicate post.

      underlock
      Reply

  6. I find it amazing how many people completely miss the point that 02 is hurting herself and lashing out to hurt the people around her. She was trying to get Hiro to hate her because she hates herself, she wants him to reject her so she could stop caring about him.

    And if any of you idiots ever get a chance to have sex with another person(which I have my doubts about) you will find out that a virgin is that last thing you want.

    Magewolf
    Reply

    1. I’m not sure yet she cares about Hiro entirely in that capacity. After she discovers he’s her original darling too yes, but right now he’s only the stamen who let her go wild more than the others. Her lashing out is all for covering up her pain and fear right now.

      Pancakes
      Reply

      3. If she was just using him I do not think that scene at the lake would have played out the same way. It seems like part of her problem is she does care about him. Which she probably sees as a betrayal of her first “darling”.

        If you do not care about a person there is no need to try to push them away. Look at how 02 acts with Ichigo she ignores her because she is unimportant to her. But she tries to anger Hiro by claiming he does not love her he only wants her body and that she is only using him. She wants him to lash out at her so she can tell herself that he is just like the rest of them. That he does not care about her just about using her.

        Magewolf
        Reply

      4. Well, obviously the details are still pending, but recall that in episode six, when their robot was being hammered into oblivion, that when Hiro told Zero 2 that he was never going to leave her alone, she lost it. She had been a complete wreck, defeated, and entirely at the end of her tether when he said that to her. Her revivification was instantaneous. So she has feelings where he’s concerned.

        On the matter of Zero 2’s prospective history as a wanton black widow, I don’t think the 100 lasted long enough for her to notch her belt with them. She isn’t interested in the weak.

        FWIW, all of the characters have issues. She’s unique — the saviour of the world maybe even — and I’d guess has more issues than anyone else and probably isn’t concerned with getting anyone’s approval over her past activities (NB Anyone meaning any viewer). What’s more, she doesn’t really have any good role models here. This is the valley of the ignorant, after all. Timeouts are enforced with tranquilizer guns. Nobody makes it to adulthood. And she’s not human — and may be becoming less so. So it would be more peculiar if she were to act like a typical, well-adjusted teenage schoolgirl. I think people should let the story play out a bit — even those who are crushed to discover that the saurian waifu of their dreams may not be as they imagined. We don’t hear from the good doctor very often but I don’t see him panicking over Zero 2 yet.

        Mockman
        Reply

      5. 002 is incapable of love. She only cares for her own welfare and benefit while viewing her darling as fodder. He is nothing to her but a means to achieve her goal and to sate her murderous desires. The spider is angry that it’s ability to weave silk prisons around the moth are fading. Pain is no excuse to hurt those who’ve done nothing to you.

        I used to love 002 but not after how she treated Hiro.

        WhiteHairGirls
        Reply

    4. @Magewolf Yeaaaaa but that doesn’t take away from the fact that there is some truth in the words she’s spouting; this isn’t just some ruse she’s pulling. She has affection for Hiro, but up until this point it has been superficial. Zero-two’s feelings for Hiro were definitely not in the same wavelength as Hiro’s. So yea, if it meant sacrificing him to be able to finally be with her original darling (which is ironically him), she would do it. A part of her disdain towards the kids probably comes from the fact that she is aware that the kids are all fated to die anyway. It doesn’t matter what they do. This is specifically why she keeps ominously remarking that the kids are going to die at some point. In a sense, they’ve always been fodder and she knows that. When she screams that Hiro should just act like the fodder he’s supposed to be, she means that. What this episode shows is not that Zero-two never loved Hiro (well, then again that depends on how you want to use semantics) but rather her affection for him as just a vestige of lust. She believes that sincerely, and as a result she wants Hiro to believe that too because yes, as you mentioned, it would make it easier for her to just break free of him that way if he admitted that his love for her was superficial as well. We don’t only push people away because we love them deeply; sometimes we do it because that’s how we can get people to realize you aren’t as interested in them as they think you may be.

      As far as Zero-two is concerned, she’s not that invested in him and she’s willing to prove that. Zero-two is basically having mental hell of a time with doublethink, which is why her thoughts of Hiro as fodder shouldn’t be considered as her putting up a front; no, she actually believes that. Again, these kids are living on a timer and she knows it.

      sonicsenryaku
      Reply

      1. Perhaps Zero Two had many “Hiro” clones before this one, and do not know if he is the right “Hiro” from her past

        That could also act as confusion that boils her anger

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

      3. they just clone him.

        They do not seem to have any technology for rapid aging, you can’t “just” clone him. A clone still starts out as a baby. If they could shit out parasites of arbitrary age they would have no reason to raise them since they were little, like they are doing at the Garden.

        The memory wipe theory sounds much more plausible to me since it has already been established that the world has technology to interface with the brain directly – the happiness sarcophagi of episode 10. There is no evidence that they have some sort of rapid aging technology which that theory requires. In fact I’d say there’s evidence they DON’T have that sort of tech.

        Vaisaga
        Reply

      4. In Evangelion someone made 10-20 Clones of the same age from an special female, but only 1 Soul could use 1 body. so the other clones where on standby in some chamber, ready for work when the previous clone body die, the soul just wander into an new one.. just with all memories and so on.. As you see, they “could” use some Evangelion magic for FranXX.. but lets see

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

    2. We’ll know soon enough given they’re basically teasing major happenings next week or the week after. I’ll only be concerned if next episode devolves into another chunk of dialogue-heavy character development lol.

      Pancakes
      Reply

  8. For some reason I paid attention and DID NOT get the impression that the parasites turn into klauxosaurs. Hm. I just thought the kids all die from fighting aliens who just came from another world.

    starss
    Reply

    1. I didn’t get the “all parasites eventually turn into klaxosaurs” bit either. It looked more like it was specifically partnering with 02 that risked turning you into a klaxo.

      Angelus
      Reply

      1. https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2030.jpg
        What is the second panel, below the DINO LEVEL? Hiro’s are much higher and steadily rose, while 02 stabilized after a spike. And why is Hiro’s YBC slice of the pie chart red instead of orange? Is it just because they highlighted it or do pistil and stamen have slightly different YBCs? Another interesting thing is that the epicenter of the saurification is the chest area, particularly the heart. And where did Hiro grow his tumor? That’s right…

        OtakuExile
        Reply

    2. @Angelus
      I’m basing that comment largely on what happened with Kokoro last week and Miku earlier in the season. When the squad had their first foray into the tunnel in episode 3 (IIRC) Miku when knocked out had a quick flash of the horns/eyes Zero Two displays, and of course Kokoro risked going berserk previously. There’s also the overt allusion to the time limit with Mitsuru’s injection Nana and Hachi discussed last time which shouldn’t be overlooked.

      The parasites may not turn into whatever exactly Zero Two is right now, but they are all at risk of turning into something klaxosaur-esque eventually.

      Pancakes
      Reply

    3. https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2030.jpg
      This Picture give us all proofs we need so far.

      It display that Zero Two was always on the brink to surpass the Line of no return and right now she is reaching it. Hiro just got adapted with time and are also on the same level. I hope that Hiro’s “secret weapon” (His yellow cells) can somehow calm Zero Two down. But how they will do that? last time only an Skin Contact on her forehead calmed her, but this time seems like it would not do. Zero Two is boiling with anger, i think this will be very risky

      Worldwidedepp
      Reply

      1. alone this: “DINOSIZE progress status CODE:”
        also “DINO Level”

        Seems like the Bad Side of this are Blue, because in Zero Two’s Body is surpassed the 50% rate, so Hiro or the Medical team need to boost her Red Side to counter the this Blue

        other sources said about Blue and Red Oni’s. and i think i begin to accept this comparing. Perhaps in Zero Two’s bod are some kind of natural enemy of the Blue Klaxarous, that would explain her urge to fight them. But where did they find her? are the Niners all based on Red Oni’s instant od the Blue?

        But then, why do she turns blue? is it the Blood? or something another?

        So this anime still have its secrets, even if an little one was exposed now

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

      2. umm.. it struck me like an Lightning…

        Do Zero Two and Hiro has the same Blood group? Perhaps an Blood transfusion from Hiro to Zero Two can “heal” her. So in a way Hiro creates the blood cells that counter the violent Body cells inside Zero Two

        Some kind of blood plasma

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

  9. You know, I can’t help it but tonsee Squad 13 in squad 9’s design. Its literally like Squad 9 is an elite clone of the former.

    And I’m more interested in 002’s development rather than 016.

    Henrietta Brix
    Reply

    1. He was pissed last episode because Hiro had forgotten their promise and now he’s getting triggered again here because he’s finding out Hiro also forgot all about the fact he even underwent the injection.

      They seem to be setting up Hiro having some sort of selective amnesia of the events around that time linked either to the tests he underwent in the lab or from his interaction with Zero Two.

      qwert
      Reply

      1. or young Zero Two sucked some life force out and that would explain his amnesia, but seems like Zero Two somehow had his lost memories inside her or i interpret the last seconds on this episode.. “What are these memories?” They come from her and enter Hiro now.. As if they come home to him.. i bet next episode he regain all lost memories from her.. Zero Two is crying in the inside. Her violent side is about to take over her Body and mind

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

    2. As qwert mentioned it’s likely due to Mitsuru still being angry about Hiro’s broken promise and apparent amnesia. When you’re that wound up over a wrong (whether overblown over not) by someone else it takes a while to come around.

      Pancakes
      Reply

    3. @Katratzi, it’s basically like qwert and Pancakes mentioned it’s likely due to Mitsuru still being angry about Hiro’s broken promise and apparent amnesia.

      but nevertheless, other things bothered me in this episode, such as…

      Mitsuru acts cold and throws unpleasant stares at Kokoro (and even keeps his fedoralord hair).
      Genista managed to look like it’s jobbing again in that 2 seconds of screentime it had
      Futoshi immersed in lustful thoughts about food again.

      The only evidence that episode 11 actually happened is small change in OP.

      Darksorrow29
      Reply

  11. Mid way episode!
    Hiro ep?
    To the pole!
    We get a look at the kind of books they have stocked.

    Oh, so its somewhat going ‘home’.
    So where they came from is near the Grand Crevasse.
    Feels like at this pace the show won’t turn 360 epic like Gurren Lagann and recent EVA movies.

    The Garden looks like a petri-dish.
    The Lab looks like where the Sages could be…

    The Pastel Hairs!
    Full party!

    Oh, so Nine Iota is refering to Zero Two.
    Not Hiro.

    I wonder how did the kids develop their charaters with the limited exposure they have.
    Maybe Squad 13 members had more exposure to human culture?
    Zorome and Miku at one end, Ikuno and Mitusru at the other end, the rest in between.

    The Nines, need 02 to have 9 members.
    They look like they are a boyband, Idolmaster.

    Oh, juicy info coming…

    02 is fighting the tests, what is APE doing?
    Is Dr Franxx forming his own faction, Nine Alpha was with Dr Franxx at that time too, Alpha a spy?
    Or is Dr Franxx just under the Sages’ orders?
    02 feels like the ‘Holy Grail’ or something.
    Nana gets serious.

    Security is realy lax for the other P13 kids.
    They say not to go, in the end is like spur them to go and they let them go.

    Hmm, or are they grouped together as they show character development from young?

    So they play and read books, no classes?
    6 months, but we keep seeing young children only, accelerated growth?
    Oh, the creepy stuff comes in.

    Yellow blood cells, they have yet to explain that tech.

    They were just told off and obediently left.
    Its not a “Yes sir!”, “Down 20!” military.

    Never becoming an adult, reminds me of Peter Pan.

    That commenter was right about the hand holding scene!
    Was that Zero Two? Really looks like an Oni.
    I suppose we all see this coming. Horn, teeth, Alpha calling her not human.

    Feels as if Zero Two is the reverse of the parasites.
    Wolf in sheep clothing and Sheep in wolf clothing.

    Test tube or natural? That well-preserved book really got into her.
    Oh, theres the ‘discipline mistress’.

    Alpha is worming into Ichigo.
    Turning 4-sided?

    Looks like Alpha is not with Dr Franxx?

    Woah, her stare cracks mirrors.

    What are they up to?
    Zero Two going to the Grand Crevasse is a threat to the Klaxosaurs?

    Yep they are growing longer.
    Hellgirl!
    Is she losing her feelings?
    Losing hope in her beliefs? Thinking she would be good only for fighting?
    A glimmer of hope when she played around with the P13 kids.

    That k-saur sure packs a lot of blue blood.

    Kill monsters to become human…
    Raid the monsters so she would not need to fight anymore and can live like a human?
    What if the whole cast dies and have their happy end in their afterlife?

    Hmm, how about a movie version with added scenes to move it in the view of Zero Two?

    The true feelings of Zero Two?

    Saurification! Nice term!
    Dinosize, not bad too.

    Would love to see the Franxx form change.
    Maybe at least inverse the color scheme?

    Woah….
    Is this the extreme version? Or did this happen hundreds of times already?
    Darling from back then? Young Hiro?
    Or perhaps Hiro’s original if WorldWideApp is correct about the clones.

    So it was that time Hiro got brain wipe to forget Zero Two and Mitsuru promise?

    iron2000
    Reply

    1. I think young hiro figured out that children don’t grow up into adults so he wanted to get the kids to escape. He meets young 02 trying to escape as well and they connect, give each other pet names (“darling”, “honey”, etc) and Hiro says he will escape the plantations with her. He gets caught and taken away to have his memories erased. in episode 1 02’s first thing she says to him was “I thought you were dead” and its only after he says he has no where he belongs that she takes an interest in him. Zero two cares about escaping first and Hiro was the boy who promised to help her escape, when current Hiro turns her down about running away that’s when Zero Two starts to loose interest in him, Oni mode just making her more and more crazy.

      Kruszer
      Reply

      1. Hmm, sounds possible.
        I just wasn’t sure if Zero Two remembers the whole ordeal or not.
        But seeing how you take into account of her past actions, ya it could be it.

        Anyway I wonder who would be 001.
        Papa? Dr Franxx? Or the boss Klaxosaur (full saurified 001, maybe can even talk).

        iron2000
        Reply

      2. Here is my guess at the chronology of events.
        -Hiro goes to find mistletoe because of that book and meets 02 there.
        -They become secret friends and 02’s first.
        -Hiro makes a connection with 02 that causes him to start to saurify.
        -The people running the Garden find out about this and are afraid that they will lose their best stamen so they mind wipe him and separate them.
        -This causes Hiro’s change as mentioned by Goro in episode 11 and makes him unable to pilot a Franxx with someone other than 02.
        -As a way of controlling 02, APE tells her that the only way she can become human and reunite with her darling is to kill enough klaxosaurs.

        8mmspikes
        Reply

      3. Problem with your theory is.. Hitomi was (how long?) his partner. So he could connect with her and perhaps others.. So, since when did he not connect to any females out there?

        From the start of the FranXX program? Would he not declared as a failure from the start?

        So.. did he have some runs in the FranXX with Hitomi and then suddenly “blank”?

        I need to know more before i make my fan fiction mind about him and her

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

  12. Yup, Pancake’s paragraph 2.
    All that mystery is pulling me back every week.
    All that missing world view, setting, history.

    Dr Franxx is interesting, perhaps he will take center stage in the second cour?

    I wonder is Zero Two brain wiped as well, then she regained a little of her memory along the way.

    iron2000
    Reply

    1. Zero Two’s inner 50% 50% harmony Balance is about to tip into the Anger 50%… First they need to take action about that. I hope Hiro can somehow return her 50% 50%, then her “mind” has peace from the urges of the flesh

      Worldwidedepp
      Reply

    1. – We like to compare with things we know. in my case, it’s (Manga) Claymore, (Anime) Evangelion and other

      You could say, what Violet Evergarden gain in reading books and began to understand other feelings and such, i did it to some extend with mangas, animes and movies over the years

      Worldwidedepp
      Reply

  14. “He’s kinda hot”
    https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2006.jpg

    Now that was a telling comment. Only a few weeks ago she wouldn’t have even understood what she was feeling, but now the whole squad’s hormones are raging. Except for 02, where every single part of her body is raging.

    Really FranXX is all about the fear of growing up, isn’t it? The same fear that underlies many of the classic fairy tales.

    Angelus
    Reply

    1. Yea and i would argue the show so far has been very inconsistent in getting this message across in the most effective way narratively. Once again, I like what franxx is trying to do; it’s a matter of how it doesn’t do it well enough that doesn’t sit well with me

      sonicsenryaku
      Reply

  17. Saying this show is “westernized” or whatever makes no sense. Is it a troll?. Like Zorome telling Futoshi to lose weight last episode? or all the scenes of Futoshi eating and him being a fat joke character? That goes against the west’s fat acceptance stuff. There’s other stuff I could mention, but it should be obvious to anyone saying DarliFra is pandering to the west or being “westernized” is complete nonsense.

    bassgs435
    Reply

  18. Really hope they don’t drag out revealing that Hiro is the real “darling” to Zero-Two. Be nice to see her get back to being something other than a broody kill-bot, plus her reaction should be great after all the bullshit she pulled this episode. Wonder how Hiro will react to the shift if she does start to actually care about him, now that she’s confirmed (or at least made him think) she was faking it all along. I don’t want him to reject her because of this week, but it would be nice if we saw her doing some real chasing again. Wonder what a repentant and desperate Zero-Two looks like.

    Aex
    Reply

    1. Hiro is too good for Zero Two anyway. Maybe the klax should produce a humanoid FranXX class with human interface as her replacement to have Hiro defected to their side. He would be happier that way then having a shitty girl like 02 won his bowl.

      child of Lilith
      Reply

      1. https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2024.jpg
        I really feel sorry for Hiro.

        02 was running again as if it were a mad cow, without any tactic and strategie, or even thinking before acting, until until Hiro was really irritated and and has taken control of the FranXX. Hiro shoots the spear killing the Klaxosaurs, Hiro also shouted ”Fire” when he shooted the spear.

        Fuck off, 02’s obsession with Klaxosaurs is getting more and more ridiculous.

        Hiro is a good boy, he’s just wasting your time, life and your skills with a person who doesn’t even deserve your love and respect.

        JustinGallimore
        Reply

      2. – Zero two falling more and more (in her Mind) into being an Monster, the more panic and anger fill her Mind. Under this boiling anger is fear the engine that create the heat. fear can lead to anger, anger to despair… Aehm.. beware young padawan do not fall to the dark side…

        Zero two here is kicking the tight dark side doors down.. and only Hiro can pull her back

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

      4. @JustinGallimore
        Hiro did everything right. I was shocked he actually said “I love you” to Zero Two.

        It’s Zero Two. She’s just too far gone (too obsessed with trying to find shota hiro) that she’s not thinking straight.

        @Worldwidedepp
        An entire arc where 02 starts feeling guilt would have great payoff.

        abunai
        Reply

      5. But first things first. Zero Two needs to come back, then she can feel guilty all they Storywriter like. But then to guilty and the fans drop her like ice in the summer heat.. She should not lose the “profile” when both of them meet the first time

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

      7. @Worldwidedepp
        The biggest problem is that this this is literally destroying Hiro’s life, because he has to control the FranXX while restraining the strongest pistil around (this is very much apparent in this scene – http://i.4cdn.org/a/1522779549990.webm ).
        This is increasing its saurification that was already close to the upper limit, which can turn him into the same kind of monster that Zero Two is.

        child of Lilith
        Reply

  19. This is episode is soo good…we finally got some plot moving!! Just curious though on why 02 forgot Hiro!! And also….am I the only one waiting to see if Hiro actually named 02 in the past!! if that is the case then I can’t wait to hear what kind of name Hiro gave to 02

    rocz
    Reply

    1. Perhaps Zero Two’s name in her past was anther.. How are the number 0 spelled in Japanese? Perhaps her old and original name is “triple zero” spelling in Japanese

      Worldwidedepp
      Reply

  20. https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2028.jpg
    https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2029.jpg
    Z02 was fucking hawwttt here lol…the only reason i enjoyed this week’s episode was bc of Z02; man i dont care if y’all hate her for being a complete bitch here, cuz my girl finally gettin more (intense) screen time! Does Hiro even understand what she was trying to get him to do there 0___0 ???

    https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2035.jpg
    God, i never favor Hiro at all since day 1 lol XD i only put up w him bc of Z02 and hes the MC (still prefer GoroxIchigo pair). Am i the only one who doesnt think Hiro is the original partner? He may have met her once but still, i think its just too easy to guess that (or im thinking too hard). Z02 monster form really reminds me of Red Oni and Blue Oni idea. Maybe her original partner was someone else, back in the pre-apocalypse days. And maybe they gave her a certain time limit or quota to kill as many monsters as possible before her “mask” wears off, so that she can meet her original partner soon? But turns out hes a manipulative bastard harvesting her special power and Hiro came in tryin to win her over w his pure heart talk… Idk ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ anyway im still not buying it, assuming Hiro was just too easy. But whatever it is, the plot now thicckens!

    Onion Warrior
    Reply

      1. If they are playing the Utena and Akio script from Shojou Kakumei Utena(sorry i had to use Utena cuz of the pink hair), then probably. He might even went and said something like “only i can love you” shit as well

        Onion Warrior
        Reply

      3. @dragoneyes001
        I also got the same feeling. Most likely by a stamen, or soldier adults who are more rough, brute and extremely rude. Because I think the worker civilian adults are still capable of having sex, and know what it is. We don’t know wether the worker civilian adults are all like the old lady(my guess is no), so maybe some of them do have sex, as a means of finding pleasure.

        EmbraceMe
        Reply

      4. These I’d guess are highly likely, she seems to assume that any kind of closeness involves physical intimacy even if the other person shows signs of discomfort with it, when she thinks Hiro wants to smash she just kind of goes through the motions mechanically and lays there for him, the overly loving behavior might be a strategy she learned just to keep her partners from hating her outright. Hiro is too pure for any of that though, he’ll show her that love is more than just a series of motions to go through to avoid punishment.

        Aromatic Grass
        Reply

      5. Hmm…my thoughts as well.

        Maybe her partner was once telling her its okay to express themselves through this “physical intimacy”, either its with brute force to release stress, like how Z02 said it to Hiro: “Let it all out.” Who knows every time her partner was heavily stressed he would go and bang her and telling her its her “duty” to relieve her partner. Danggg whadda terrible assumption!

        Z02 is terribly stressed out man…she can literally rape Hiro and break him to death

        onion warrior
        Reply

    2. Absolutely wrong. Why don’t you take off the fanboy goggles and and watch the episode?

      https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2030.jpg

      Code 016’s numbers are close to the upper limit, too. If this keeps up, he might undergo a genetic tranformation. You mean he could no longer be called human?

      He is probably close to 002 in strength now.

      https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2029.jpg

      That is why Hiro managed to turn around, inverting their positions and getting on top of her.

      Starwind
      Reply

      1. Zero Two has more Blue Blood inside her. But you have an point, too. But i still think, Zero Two here let him take over.. She has still her “animal/monster” side and Hiro only “Human”

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

  21. Sigh, i bet when Zero Two say in the next Episodes the World is flat, then someones would believe her right away. Sometimes i wonder if this is all an Troll act or they believe really what they see in an Anime..

    They just want to read and see what they want… or someones just want to see the World burn

    Worldwidedepp
    Reply

  22. So if all Parasites do not reached Adulthood, then these two
    https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2020.jpg
    are not Seniors/Senpais Parasites.. But i hope with time they take the Children site and not turn cold as the APE Council and citizens.. Perhaps some change of emotion like the old Woman that took in the Boy when he got lost in the City.. She nearly wanted to touch him…

    Worldwidedepp
    Reply

      1. But yes, these two could be one of the last “original defenders” before they started the Parasite and FranXX project. Something like these ones that fought the fight when these two cities where “kissing”. Some of this kind of Squad could be possible. But not Parasites ones

        Well this would be an logical conclusion

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

      1. they are the caretaker for the Parasites of Squad 13, also they need to interact with the elders/adults. So i do not think they got the injections that the kids had, or they get every time some special decontamination when left the “Parasites care” zone

        Remember how these 2 Guys said something when scanning Zeromone when they found him in the end? I think these two need to avoid that

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

  23. The salt in the comments is real.

    The characters in this anime are chilren! Probably brainwashed (or at least kept in the dark about important things), likely to have been drugged at some point, and growing up in an environment that is far from healthy for ‘our’ standards. So let’s not assume they will make the most logical decisions just because we, the audience, think we know better.

    The progress in the anime is experienced differently by different people. If you just want plot development and don’t care much about character development, this anime might not be the one for you. That’s perfectly fine, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad anime alltogether.

    Zero-Two has not been confirmed to go to bed with anyone at this point. Keep in mind that Hiro is the first one we know she showed any personal interest in. Her acting out in this episode can be for many reasons we can only guess. Maybe she IS hypersexual, but maybe she just lashes out because of increasing stress, because of her klaxosaur blood, because she perhaps knows they don’t have much time left to live, or something completely different. We don’t know.

    I am enjoying it so far. Far from a masterpiece, but also far from a bad anime in my humble opinion.

    The_cake_is_a_lie
    Reply

  24. @admins

    i think it is about time to think about upgrading the comment section. as you can see for yourself, how deleting some comments can cause distribution in the data-bank.

    i am not demand anything or an myphp forum clone.. just to think about it or to improve the current one

    or we really need an “login” wall for commenting in the future

    Worldwidedepp
    Reply

  26. https://randomc.net/image/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx/Darling%20in%20the%20Franxx%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2035.jpg

    You see it, too right?
    Looks like their FranXX shut down because all around is darkness or black Monitors. Right?
    But then why do Hiro see this “Red Ghost” come out of her body?
    The FranXX is still running in reality, it is just that Zero Two overtook Hiro’s sense and show him this Illusion.. But as long an Illusion feels right, it is reality…

    So, ZeroTwo is fighting her an illusion one, but one that can end in death for Hiro

    Perhaps on the Outside the face of their FranXX is still showing her Berserk face. But the FranXX is still running on power.. but no controls, from her and of course from Hiro

    The Kids could be confused, what they are doing. Perhaps Ichigo can have an hunch, but it is up to Nana to tell them the truth, because they have the feedback data

    Worldwidedepp
    Reply

    1. or Strelezia turn into Beast Mode and run wild without directions, just instincts to kill the enemy… That at last could Zero Two do alone without Hiro’s controls

      Worldwidedepp
      Reply

  27. Ep 13:

    – You still have some doubts about this Anime? then go watch Episode 13
    – To give an bit of spoiling this Episode is important for all what happen so far. Also no fights in this Episode

    – I see this Episode like so: Darling in the FranXX is no child anymore, it grown and are now free

    I want to watch how the story unfolds with my two eyes and now even with my heart

    Great work dear Episode Director and team

    Worldwidedepp
    Reply

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